Name of the Project
Ostrovets nuclear power plant (NPP) project.

Location
Grodno, Belarus.

Project Owner/s
Russian State nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of two 1 200 MW pressurised-water energetic reactors for the first nuclear power plant in Belarus.

The plant will be fitted with cutting-edge accident-protection systems.

The so-called core melt trap will be installed at the power units. This is a unique Russian invention and confines melted products if the reactor core melts down. The nuclear power plant is expected to produce about 25% of the electricity that Belarus needs.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$10-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Stage 1 of the Ostrovets NPP power Unit 1 physical startup started on August 7, 2020. The unit was connected to the grid on November 3 and proceeded to the trial commercial operation on December 22, 2020. The board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Belarus issued the permit for commercial operation of the power unit on June 2, 2021.

Belarus Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said in March 2023 that government was aiming for the second unit of the Belarusian NPP to be put into commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Latest Developments
The second unit of Belarus's first NPP has been connected to the power grid and delivered its first kilowatt-hours to Belarus’s electricity system.

The operation will increase power by up to 50% to verify the compliance of the thermal performance of the main equipment in the reactor and turbine compartments of the power unit with the design values. 

Power will be increased in further stages and will include further tests until it reaches 100%.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Atomstroyexport (nuclear reactors); and Rosatom Engineering Division (general designer and contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Rosatom communications department, tel +7 499 949 4412, fax +7 499 949 2722 or email press@rosatom.ru.